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Offering Options for Certified Teachers in Elementary and Secondary Education

Michael Wilson, Graduate Coordinator

Phone: (203) 837-8507

wilsonm@wcsu.edu

Ana Cangialosi, Dept. Secretary

Phone: (203) 837-8510

Fax: (203) 837-8413

CanglialosiA@wcsu.edu

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Education degree program is approved by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.

Program Overview

Western’s M.S. in Education degree program enhances and develops careers in teaching. The program maintains professional relationships with the broader educational community and is committed to the continuous support and development of cooperative projects and services with area schools. The M.S. in Education program empowers students to attain the highest standards of academic achievement, personal development and ethical conduct. Candidates in our teacher education program must achieve the following objectives:

Demonstrate academic competence in their selected option;

Complete a general program of studies in education in addition to a recommended content option;

Value and infuse cultural diversity;

Demonstrate a proficiency in and working knowledge of the national and state standards;

Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry, the use of critical thinking skills, and the habits of the reflective practitioner, and;

Demonstrate the ability to appropriately incorporate the use of technology in instructional practices.

Program Mission Statement and Objectives

The mission of the Masters of Science in Education program is to provide for certified teachers the knowledge, skills and dispositions appropriate for the advanced professional in education. In addition to fulfilling the mission of the educational and educational psychology department, candidates for the M.S. in Education degree must meet the following program specific objectives:

Investigate curriculum theory and associated research as these apply to classroom practices directed toward the improvement of instruction (option in curriculum).

Expand his or her professional knowledge base regarding the use of instructional and information technology in the classroom (option in instructional technology).

Expand his or her professional knowledge base regarding the education and development of exceptional, gifted, talented, and disabled students in a regular classroom (option in special education).

Accurately assess and analyze student learning, reflecting on adjustments needed for both instruction and assessment.

Demonstrate the ability to be both a consumer of information and a producer of educational research through the use of inquiry, critical analysis, and synthesis in the investigation of a selected research project.

Admission Requirements

Applicants who wish to be admitted to the M.S. programs in teacher education must submit the following materials to the Division of Graduate Studies office:

Application for admission to the Division of Graduate Studies and a $50 application fee.

One official transcript mailed (not hand-delivered) to the Division of Graduate Studies office from each college or university previously attended, including all earned grades and degree. (For initial non-matriculating enrollment, an unofficial transcript indicating a 2.8 undergraduate grade point average or higher and the baccalaureate degree will suffice.)

If an applicant’s cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) is below 2.8, the applicant must present a score rated at the 35th percentile or higher on the Miller Analogies Test, as indicated below:

A copy of a valid teaching certificate in elementary and/or secondary education.

Supporting documents such as letters of reference required for particular concentrations or options.

Evidence of successful completion of any required prerequisite courses for a particular concentration.

Evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

After all of the materials indicated above have been submitted, the applicant should call (203) 837-8244 to make an appointment for an admissions interview in the Office of the Division of Graduate Studies.

Graduate students in the M.S. programs must complete the requirements for the degree within the six (6) year period immediately preceding the awarding of the degree.

New York State certified teachers must check with the N.Y. State Education Department to determine if a Western Connecticut State University graduate program meets NY State Certification requirements.

Program Entry Interviews and Academic Planning

Each candidate must meet with the M.S. graduate coordinator to discuss and plan the academic program. Course sequencing suggestions will be provided at that time.

Tk20 License Requirement

All candidates who enter degree or certificate programs in Education and Educational Psychology at Western Connecticut State University are required to purchase a Tk20 license before or during the first week of class. Tk20 is part of Westconn’s assessment system and essential for continuous accreditation. Information about purchasing the license is at this link: http://cthe.wcsu.edu (lower left). If you have questions please contact Dr. Catherine O’Callaghan E&EP Chair, ocallaghanc@wcsu.edu

A student who wishes to obtain an M.S. degree with an option in curriculum leadership must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8) and a valid teaching certificate. This concentration is for teachers who are interested in exploring curriculum issues. The main objective is to investigate curriculum theory and associated research as these apply to classroom practices directed toward the improvement of instruction.

A minimum of thirty 30 semester hours (SH) is required for the M.S. in Education degree. All courses included in the MS in Education degree must be at the Graduate level (500 or above). Culmination of the program includes completion of a three-semester hour capstone project (ED 592).

A student who wishes to obtain the Master of Science degree with an option in instructional technology must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8) and a valid teaching certificate. This program does not currently lead to certification in technology.

The objective of the instructional technology option is to expand the professional knowledge base of teachers regarding the use of instructional and information technology in the classroom.

A minimum of 30 semester hours (SH) is required for the M.S. in Education degree, including the requirements for the non-thesis or thesis approach. The culmination of the program includes completion of a three-semester hour capstone project (ED 592).

Master of Science in Education: Option in Instructional Technology (Non-Certification)

Professional Education Requirements

12 SH

ED 500 Contemporary Educational Issues

3 SH

EPY 505 Measurement & Evaluation

3 SH

ED 546 Inquiry in the Classroom

3 SH

ED 592 Capstone Project in Education

3 SH

Option Courses Select

12 SH

ED 532 Computer Literacy in Education

ED 538 Electronic Portfolio Development for Educators

ED 539 Virtual Cultural Diversity Field Trips

ED 556 Curriculum Development Using Instructional Technology

ED 557 Computers in Special Education

3 SH

ED 558 Computers in Distance Learning

3 SH

ED 559 Educational Computer Simulations

3 SH

Electives

6 SH

Up to 3 SH of elective graduate credits may be taken outside of the E&EP dept.

Intersession courses (ED 733) should only apply as graduate electives.

Total Semester Hours: Minimum of 30 SH

Degree Requirements: Option in Reading (Non-Certification)

A student who wishes to obtain the Master of Science degree with an option in reading must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8) and a valid teaching certificate.

The major objective of this program is to develop outstanding and purposefully directed classroom reading teachers at the elementary school level. Teachers at the middle or secondary levels who focus on reading may also be interested in this option. This program does not fulfill requirements for state certification in reading.

Master of Science in Education: Option in Reading (Non-Certification)

A minimum of 30 semester hours (SH) is required for the M.S. degree in education with an option in reading, including the requirements for the non-thesis or thesis approach. A maximum of three semester hours from courses bearing a 400-level number may be included for credit in a degree program. Culmination of the program includes completion of a three-semester hour capstone project (ED 592).

Professional Education Requirements

12 SH

ED 500 Contemporary Educational Issues

3 SH

ED 505 Measurement & Evaluation

3 SH

ED 546 Inquiry in the Classroom

3 SH

ED 592 Capstone Project in Education

3 SH

Option Courses Select

12 SH

ED 514 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas

3 SH

ED 517 Developmental Reading in the Elementary School

3 SH

ED 535 Developmental Reading in Secondary School

3 SH

ED 548 Analysis of Reading Difficulties

3 SH

ED 594 Community Reading Practicum

3 SH

Electives

6 SH

Up to 3 SH of elective graduate credits may be taken outside of the E&EP dept.

Total Semester Hours: Minimum of 30 SH.

Degree Requirements: Option in Special Education (Non-Certification)

A student who wishes to obtain the Master of Science degree in education with an option in special education must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.8) and a valid teaching certificate.

The objective of the special education option is to expand the professional knowledge base of teachers regarding the education and development of special education and gifted and talented students. This program does not fulfill requirements for state certification in special education.

A minimum of 30 semester hours (SH) is required for the M.S. degree in education with an option in special education, including the requirements for the non-thesis or thesis approach. Culmination of the program includes completion of a three-semester hour capstone project (ED 592).

Master of Science in Education: Option in Special Education (Non-Certification)

Concentration: Special Education for the Classroom Teacher

Professional Education Requirements

12 SH

ED 500 Contemporary Educational Issues

3 SH

EPY 505 Measurement & Evaluation

3 SH

ED 546 Inquiry in the Classroom

3 SH

ED 592 Capstone Project in Education

3 SH

Option Courses Select

12 SH

ED 525 Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities

3 SH

ED 545 Teaching Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disturbances

3 SH

ED 557 Computers in Special Education

3 SH

ED 578 Teaching the Gifted and Talented

3 SH

ED 726 Child and Adolescent Development

3 SH

EPY 509 Introduction to Exceptionalities (in the catalog this is “Exceptional Learners: Children and Adolescents”)

3 SH

Electives

6 SH

Up to three SH of elective graduate credits may be taken outside of the E&EP dept.

Total Semester Hours: Minimum of 30 SH

Master of Science in Education: Option in Special Education (Non-Certification)

Concentration: Autism Spectrum

Professional Education Requirements

12 SH

ED 500 Contemporary Educational Issues

3 SH

EPY 505 Measurement & Evaluation

3 SH

ED 546 Inquiry in the Classroom

3 SH

ED 592 Capstone Project in Education

3 SH

Option Courses Select

12 SH

ED 525 Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities

3 SH

ED 545 Teaching Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disturbances

3 SH

ED 557 Computers in Special Education

3 SH

ED 578 Teaching the Gifted and Talented

3 SH

ED 726 Child and Adolescent Development

3 SH

EPY 509 Introduction to Exceptionalities (in the catalog this is “Exceptional Learners: Children and Adolescents”)

3 SH

Electives

6 SH

Up to three SH of elective graduate credits may be taken outside of the E&EP dept.

Total Semester Hours: Minimum of 30 SH

Students who have already obtained a master’s degree may opt to take ED 591 or ED 690 in lieu of ED 592 with permission of the graduate coordinator.